Court Sets Next Hearing for June 27; Iltija Mufti Seeks Justice, Flags Tourism Crisis
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, (DD): A Jammu court on Monday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) a five-day remand of two individuals arrested in connection with the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives.
The accused, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, are alleged to have harboured the militants involved in the brutal assault. The Additional District and Sessions Judge approved the NIA’s remand request, with the next hearing scheduled for June 27.
The NIA had announced the arrests on Sunday, linking the duo to the attack that shook the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could follow.
Reacting to the development, PDP leader Iltija Mufti strongly condemned the attack and urged the central government to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. “Tourism has come to a standstill in Pahalgam, crippling the region’s economy,” she said. “I appeal to the government to take prompt action and implement confidence-building measures to restore public trust.”
The Pahalgam attack has dealt a significant blow to the region’s tourism-driven economy, raising serious security concerns ahead of the peak summer season.(DD)